Update enables higher resolution graphics on Samsung Gear VR

Facebook subsidiary Oculus has released an update to its software for the Gear VR. The new software not only makes better use of the announced controller for the VR headset, but also increases the maximum resolution of VR content.

For example, the resolution for moving content should increase from 1024×1024 pixels to 1536×1536 pixels, thinks the lead developer of Nokia’s vr camera Ozo based on information from Oculus in response to an article by UploadVR. All apps and games can use this if they integrate the new APIs into their software. Until now, the higher resolution was only possible on static content, but that should now be possible for all applications. Oculus itself keeps it at ‘400 pixels horizontal’ to ‘about 600 pixels horizontal’, which the manufacturer probably means per eye.

The software is also faster, Fast Company reports. Users have to be on the home screen within 2.5 seconds, instead of the 7.5 seconds it now takes. The software is intended for all versions of the Gear VR with all compatible phones. These include the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, S7 and S7 edge. Samsung announced on Wednesday, along with the Galaxy S8, the sale of a new version of the Gear VR with controller. The controller largely replaces the touchpad on the right side of the VR headset.

The update is available immediately. Developers can make their apps suitable for the better graphics, but it will probably take some time for many developers to actually do that. How Oculus made the higher resolution possible or why it wasn’t possible before is unknown.